Water that doesn't drain correctly away from your home's foundation can cause water damage and moisture issues, such as mold and mildew, in your basement and crawlspaces. Even a little bit of water can cause thousands of dollars in damage. To protect your property, you must grade your yard away from your home's foundation. It is much easier to do drainage right in the first place than to repair it later so below are some tips as well as cost factors for removing standing water.
What does foundation drainage work entail?
Among many things, your professional will either check or install gutters and downspouts. These are the first things added or checked because they are the easiest way to drain a foundation. Your professional will then probably talk to you about adjusting your slope of the ground away from the foundation. Typically a slope of an inch a foot for 4 to 5 feet is adequate as long as water is not allowed to stand within 10 feet of a foundation. Together you may even decide that installing drains if sloping/grading is not possible. The main focus is to direct water into a street, drainage ditch, or swale.What is grading?
The word "grade" refers to creating an artificial slope constructed in a portion or portions of the yard. These sloped areas are angled away from structures so water is carried away from them as quickly as possible. When constructed correctly, they should be undetectable and perform their function perfectly.Landscape grading
Landscape grading can be carried out in various ways, but it is something that should be considered, if possible, in conjunction with your landscape design. In this way, your landscape can be created for both aesthetics and function, and drainage problems will be eliminated.Swales
A swale is a small, shallow drainage ditch created to direct water to a designated area. It can be built very narrow so that it can run alongside a sidewalk or driveway or even be part of a flowerbed or landscape feature. It could also be built wider, depending on how much water it needs to carry. No matter how large the swale is, take steps to cover it with vegetation or use erosion control measures, such as fabrics and large rocks, to keep the swale from eroding.Drains
Drains may be perforated pipes buried in low-lying areas that collect the runoff water and direct it to an area for dispersal. Gutters may run directly into drainpipes. Typically, the drainpipes are set at a 2 percent slope. It's possible to direct the drains to a collection container so you can use the runoff water for watering the lawn or garden.Berms
A berm is an easy way to add interest and height to the landscape, especially in dull, flat lawn areas. Berms are simply mounded hills of dirt constructed for many reasons such as blocking out unwanted or unsightly views, directing or redirecting foot traffic or drainage or simply emphasizing a particular area or focal point.Refer a Pro who does this service and receive an Amazon Gift Card!
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